Ukrainian-language version of ODIHR’s handbook on human rights-compliant assembly policing launched in Kyiv

International standards guaranteeing the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and key principles and good practices for policing assemblies in a human rights-compliant way were the focus of an event organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on 21 March 2018 in Kyiv. The event marked the launch of the Ukrainian-language version of ODIHR’s Human Rights Handbook on Policing Assemblies.

In addition to describing the key principles of assembly policing and public order management, the Handbook focuses on aspects such as planning and decision-making, command and control and the conditions for the use of force. It also highlights the importance of ensuring accountability for law enforcment measures, particularly through independent monitoring of assemblies.

“ODIHR has developed an entire toolbox in the area of freedom of peaceful assembly to assist the OSCE participating States,” said Omer Fisher, Head of the ODIHR Human Rights Department. “Our Office has been very active in supporting Ukrainian law enforcement bodies in fulfilling the country’s commitments in this area, such as those described in the national Human Rights Action Plan. We hope to continue our co-operation towards the full enjoyment of the right to peaceful assembly, an area of key importance in Ukraine.”

The presentation of the Handbook was followed by a panel discussion on supporting human rights-friendly approaches to policing of assemblies in Ukraine. It involved panellists from the Office of the Ombudsman, the Kyiv-based NGO Center for Civil Liberties and ODIHR.